Sash weight mounting means



Dec. 15, 1964 A. BRIENZA 3,160,914

SASH WEIGHT MOUNTING MEANS Filed June 6, 1963 INVENIOR United States Patent 3,160,914 SASH WEIGHT MOUNTING Angelo Brianna, 879 Iacific St, Brooklyn, NY. Filed dune 6, 1963, Ser. No. 235,914 1 Qiaim. (Cl. lid-2%) This invention relates to window sashes, more especially to the provision of means for safely, securely and simply attaching counterweights to the sash.

In conventional windows, particularly wooden frame construction, counterweights are provided so that the windows may be readily opened by sliding vertically in the frame and retained in the desired position without use of pegs or other devices. These weights are placed in pockets on either side of the sash and are connected to the window by a rope which extends upwardly within the pocket to the top thereof and thence over a pulley and downwardly in the ash groove of the frame to the window where it is attached to the upper corner thereof.

Alternatively, a lightweight, flexible, fiat chain is used to connect the counterweight with the window. My invention is intended for use with such chains.

It is an object of my invention to provide a safe and secure means for attaching the counterweight chain to the window sash.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a means for attaching the counterweight chain to the window sash which can be readily and quickly alhxed to the window sash.

It is another object of my invention to provide a device for attaching counterweight chains to a window sash which can be manufiact'ured readily and cheaply. These and other objects will be readily apparent from the fol lowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows more or less diagrammatically a double-hung sash and frame in a structure provided with my new and improved fastening means;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section of one corner of the sash showing details of my attaching means, and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the device itself.

In double-hung windows of the type shown in FIGURE 1, the windows are retained in placed by means of a strip which forms the inner or room side portion of the groove within which the windows move vertically. This strip is retained in place on the jamb by nails or screws, and may be readily removed, thereby permitting the windows to be removed from the frame and swing inwardly into the building.

Seemingly, this provides a ready means whereby windows may be washed or repaired safely from within the building. However, in the conventional sash construction, the cords or chains are so attached to the window that they are easily separated when the sash is thus removed from the frame. Consequently, in cleaning or painting the exterior of the window frames and sash, it is customary to perform these operations from the outside while the windows are in place even though this involves more effort and risk of injury or death.

With my invention, however, the chain may be readily and simply attached to the window, yet it is retained se ourely attached thereto even when the window sash is removed from the frame for cleaning, painting, repairs ice or other operation thereto. These operations thus can be performed from inside the room and while the sash is removed, work can likewise be performed on the outside of the frame, all without the use of scaffolds or belts on the outside, all of which inherently and necessarily involve considerable danger. The use of my device, which I call a window life safe, accordingly makes for an economical and safe operation.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a conventional double-hung window, having two sashes 11, 11', mounted within a frame 12. On either side of the frame 12 there is a pocket 13, 13' for the sash weights 14, 14'. Only two such weights are shown, and these are attached to lower sash 11, by chains 15, 15, passing over the pulleys 18, 18', respectively, but it will be understood, of course, that like weights will be connected to upper sash 11' by a like pair of connecting chains. These, however, are not represented in FIGURE 1 in order to simplify the showing.

Near each upper corner of lower sash 11 there is at tached one of my window life safes 16, 16' which provides attaching means for chains 15, 15' respectively. The window life safes for upper sash 11' are identified by the numerals 26, 26'.

FIGURE 2 shows in more detail the upper left corner of lower sash 11, with window life safe 16 in place with chain 15 attached to hook portion 24. The window life safe is aflixed by means of three wood screws 25 and end portion 23, to side rail 19 which is shown in section for greater clarity.

As shown in FIGURE 3, my window life safe consists of a single piece of metal 21 having a width slightly less than the thickness of the window sash, provided with screw holes 22, an outwardly projecting tongue-shaped hook 24, and an inturned portion 23 at the lower end thereof. This latter is adapted for insertion into one of the holes provided in conventional sash and furnishes added support to distribute the forces from the sash weight. Preferably the window life safe is made from a steel strip as by stamping, although the method of manufacture is not herein claimed as part of my invention.

It is understood that the foregoing relates only to a preferred embodiment of my invention and that variations therein are contemplated within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A device for attaching a. weight supporting chain for a double hung window sash, said device comprising a unitary metal strip of a width less than that of the sash on which it is adapted to be mounted, said strip having a tongue extending away from one side thereof, said tongue adapted to be engaged by the weight supporting chain, said strip also having at one end a short support flange extending away from said strip at a right angle to said strip on the side of the strip opposite to the tongue carrying side, and means on said strip and cooperating with the support flange for mounting the strip on the sash.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 327,627 Webb Oct. 6, 1885 389,405 Overton Sept. 11, 1888 461,746 Finlay Oct. 20, 1891 979,014 Lippincott Dec. 20, 1910 1,397,221 Martin Nov. 15, 1921 

